Robert Griffin III: 5 Reasons QB Won't Solve Washington Redskins' Problems

A blockbuster trade for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III won't solve all of the Washington Redskins' problems. Many Redskins fans seem to have adopted the view that a draft day trade for Griffin is the only way to save the franchise.

While there is no denying that Griffin is an exciting prospect, there are some drawbacks to a Redskins move for the Heisman Trophy winner. The cost of a trade is likely to be exceedingly high, especially for a team with as many needs to address as the Redskins.

Then there is the burden of pressure and expectation on Griffin to be an instant success—an expectation increased by the Redskins' paltry 11 wins in two years.

In an offseason dominated by a "Griffin or bust" sentiment, there seems to have been little room for discussions about why Griffin might not fit in Washington. This is a look at those ways in which the Baylor star might be incompatible with what the Redskins are trying to do under Mike Shanahan.

1. Too Big a Price to Pay in Trade

The estimated trade price required to move up to the No. 2 overall spot is simply too much to pay for a team with as many needs as the Redskins. The Redskins are likely to have to send this year's first-round choice as well as their first selection in 2013 to the St. Louis Rams, along with some high additional picks.

After initial reports that the Redskins would have no problem consenting to these demands, it seems that the asking price could still become a problem. NFL.com has reported that the Redskins may be unwilling to surrender additional prime picks in this year's draft.

Shanahan and Bruce Allen have good reason to be cautious about paying out such a hefty price. The Redskins have been bitterly criticized in the past for overpaying for quick fixes via free agency.

This may be the draft, but the principle stays the same. Giving away multiple picks this year and next April prevents the Redskins from strengthening the overall quality and depth of their whole team. It goes against the long-term view Shanahan is supposed to have for the Redskins.

2. It Is the Kind of Trade That Should Have Been Made in Shanahan's First Year

After only 11 wins in two seasons, Mike Shanahan needs success now. He doesn't have the luxury of time needed to make the kind of trade that puts the next two seasons at risk.

Griffin will naturally need time to develop. This learning process along with the loss of prime draft choices this year and the next could set the Redskins up for two more years of transition.

Shanahan could justify such a time frame if he had just arrived in D.C. But 6-10 and 5-11 finishes do not provide the best justification to be asking for more patience.

Fans want to see progress. In a rebuilding process, progress has to be tangible and measured in both performance and wins.

By the third season, it is not unreasonable to expect that progress to mean a winning record and the playoffs. That puts an awful lot of pressure on Griffin to be exceptional right away.

Very few rookie quarterbacks are big winners immediately. If Griffin isn't able to replicate what Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan managed in 2008, he could well be working under a new regime in 2013.

3. Why Not Opt for the Sureness and Reliability Provided by a Veteran?

There appears to be a consensus that the Redskins are only a quarterback away from competing. If that is the case, then wouldn't an experienced veteran passer be a better fit?

If the Redskins are only one player removed from being a playoff-caliber team, then surely it would be better for that player to require little to no transition time. Inserting Griffin into arguably the most significant position on the team and believing that 10-win success will naturally follow is a major risk to take.

Mike Shanahan has argued that the Redskins are not as bad as their 2011 record suggests. While this may be true, the real question is how much better than 5-11 are they? The answer should determine whether the Redskins turn to free agency or the draft to solve their quarterback dilemma.

4. The Supporting Cast Has Too Many Question Marks to Supplement a Rookie QB

The Redskins' supporting cast simply has too many question marks to make people believe it can effectively supplement a rookie quarterback. Washington's offense has options and plenty of potential, but there is a lack of elite playmaking talent to complement Griffin.

The offensive line is suspect, particularly at the right tackle and left guard positions. Young runners Roy Helu and Evan Royster have shown a lot of promise, but their abilities to lead the offense and develop into legitimate 1,000-yard backs remain a mystery.

Veteran wideouts Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney are solid but nothing more, and youngster Leonard Hankerson has barely played due to injury. Griffin would not be stepping into the kind of offense Cam Newton entered when he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

Newton had a recognised all-pro receiver in Steve Smith, a solid line and two proven feature backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Redskins would need to do a lot of work to ensure that Griffin had the same caliber of weapons around him in his first year.

1. Griffin's Time in the Spread May Not Fit with Shanahan's Rigid Offense

Griffin's time at the collegiate level was spent running the spread offense. His success and skills in this wide-open scheme may not translate well to the rigid nature of the Shanahan offensive system.

Mike and Kyle Shanahan have run a very specific offense in the NFL. Players roles are clearly defined, and the style is distinctive.

When the system is operating best, the run comes first and sets up the play action game which is a staple of the scheme. Receivers are mostly consigned to the deep routes, and the tight end is used to attack the middle zones on crossing patterns.

Griffin's mobility and accuracy on the move certainly suit the rollout plays favoured by Shanahan. Yet he would likely need time to acclimate himself to the constraints of such an ordered and disciplined scheme. Having a freelancing playmaker like Griffin temper his natural inclinations as part of a more regimented system could lead to some awkward growing pains.

Shanahan has not shown himself to be especially tolerant or patient with his quarterbacks during his time in D.C. This likely means a short learning curve being forced on Griffin.

The Need for a QB Is Great, but Desperation Could Mean Overpaying for Griffin

There is no denying that the Redskins must find a solution to the quarterback problem that has crippled the team for the best part of two decades. Yet as great as the need is, the Redskins must be careful about risking too much now for the promise of an unknown future.

Robert Griffin III is an intriguing talent, but his trade cost could be too high for Mike Shanahan after two losing years. If Griffin struggles in his rookie campaign, Shanahan could well be gone.

That would leave a new coach with a young quarterback struggling under the burden of unfair expectation and without the draft picks necessary to fix the team. The Redskins maybe better served trading back and selecting a less highly-touted rookie like Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill.

This would still leave them picks to continue strengthening the team in the hope of constructing a framework for long-term success. Or Shanahan may decide to opt for a proven veteran who could raise the level of play from the supporting cast. The steady and assured performances of an experienced pro could better complement the whole team.

Every rookie and every trade come with risks attached. The decisions are based on instincts which are only proven by time.

Yet after two seasons of mediocrity and for the kind of price expected to be paid to land Griffin, Shanahan and Allen may need to be absolutely certain that Griffin can win from day one.